Introduction to Physiological Adaptations
When an athlete begins regular aerobic or anaerobic training the body begins to adapt physically to the demands placed upon it. These adaptations allow the body to function more comfortably at existing levels of stress and respond more efficiently to higher levels of stress when moving to a new level of performance/fitness level. This makes the body more efficient and capable of more work. Many of the changes occur in the cardiorespiratory system from aerobic training and this results in an improved ability of the body to deliver oxygen to working muscles. Anaerobic training causes changes to occur in the muscles efficiency to replenish (during exercise) and store (before exercise) ATP molecules and increase the muscle's resistance to lactic acid, hence improving high intensity short duration performances.